Super Gabite

It drew in the energy around it, slowly absorbing it into its body. A gust swept outward, forcing even Liu Xin to step back.

Purple light streamed from Super Gible, drawing plenty of people over to watch.

"What an awesome evolution. Purple and yellow together, and it's got a bigger presence than most Pokémon. That's something."

"You can tell it's strong just by looking. Once it's done evolving, I want a proper battle."

"Huh? What's everyone watching? Oh, it's Liu Xin. His Gible's evolving. No wonder there's such a commotion."

"Whew. Super Pokémon really are something else. Even their evolutions look incredible. I'm jealous."

Sen Anxiang and Ito Hei watched as the Gible before them slowly took shape.

It was a whole size bigger than before, and its height had increased even more.

It looked striking even from a distance. The light around it slowly began to fade.

Liu Xin smiled. "It worked. Let me see this brand-new Pokémon!"

This was his first time seeing an evolution through, and for Liu Xin, it was an entirely new experience.

The light vanished completely, revealing a magnificent Gabite before everyone.

Its body was predominantly dark blue, with red running from its jaw to the middle of its belly and blue-gray across the lower half.

Two protrusions rose from its head, each ringed with a blue-gray stripe.

It had four fins in all: one on each forearm, one on its back, and one on its tail.

Each of its white claws had a single digit, while its feet had three toes. White bone spikes grew from its thighs.

Compared with the cute, round Gible it had been, Gabite looked far more imposing. No one would laugh now when it issued a challenge or announced its intent to fight.

Its temperament and expression, though, had hardly changed. It was still proud and haughty.

"Gabite!"

Fresh from its evolution, it roared at every Pokémon and trainer present, smugness in its eyes.

"Look closely. There's a lot more purple sheen on its body, too."

"The power Mewtwo left behind is more obvious now. All its stats have gone up."

Super Gabite:

Level: 20 (can evolve into Garchomp at level 40)

Attack: 300

Special Attack: 245

Defense: Super Gabite 70

Special Defense: Super Gabite 70

Speed: Super Gabite 40

Abilities: Sand Veil (raises evasion during a sandstorm and prevents sandstorm damage); Rough Skin (opponents that make contact with a close-range attack take damage equal to thirty percent of Gible's damage)

Super Ability: Violet Aurora (covers its surface in purple light that absorbs large amounts of damage and boosts the damage dealt by its abilities and moves)

Moves: Sand Tomb, Dragon Breath, Bulldoze, Sand Attack, Tackle, Slash, Dragon Claw

Its stats had risen, and it had learned quite a few moves.

The evolved Gabite was much stronger than Gible had been. Liu Xin went over to congratulate it, forgetting its foul temper.

It gave him a thorough beating, leaving him with none of a trainer's dignity.

"Come on! Couldn't you at least save me some face in front of all these people?"

"You're impossible, you know that?"

"Gabite!"

It snorted in disdain. In that respect, it really hadn't changed at all.

A chubby boy squeezed through the crowd, panting. "What an imposing Gabite! I couldn't take my eyes off your evolution."

"My name's Ryunosuke Sengoku. You can call me Fan."

"I've been traveling around looking for strong Pokémon to challenge. Your Gabite caught my eye, so I'd like a Pokémon battle with you."

Fan looked eagerly at Gabite and Liu Xin, hoping they would accept.

Liu Xin thought a battle right after its evolution might be worthwhile.

Before he could speak, Gabite leaped forward and roared defiantly at Fan.

It had accepted the challenge itself.

It really couldn't go without a fight, could it?

Liu Xin put a hand to his forehead. "As you can see, it accepts your challenge. Send yours out."

Sen Anxiang took notes off to the side. "Are Pokémon stronger when they're fiercer, more hot-tempered, and less obedient?"

"I need to write that down. Totodile, show them how fierce you can be."

Ito Hei patted his forehead. "You don't need to write that down, do you?"

"Liu Xin's the exception. All his Pokémon act like that."

Fan tossed out a Poké Ball. He, too, had chosen a Dragon-type Pokémon: Fraxure.

Fraxure was much larger than its pre-evolved form, Axew. Its upper and lower body were distinctly different colors, and its arms and tail had grown considerably longer. Its head looked as though it wore a helmet, its snout was pointed, and spots marked its belly.

Its most distinctive features were the two tusks growing sideways from its mouth, now longer than Axew's had been.

It was about the same size as Gabite. Both were big and impressive.

Fraxure:

Level: 22

Attack: 290

Special Attack: 260

Another Pokémon that relied on its moves, and its Special Attack was strong, too. "It looks pretty cool."

"Dragon-type Pokémon really are something."

Liu Xin felt a little envious. If only he could raise more Dragon-type Pokémon. Strength might come and go, but looking cool lasted a lifetime.

"Fraxure!"

The moment it appeared, it issued an aggressive challenge. It had much the same temperament as Gabite.

Super Gabite, which had been lounging around, immediately grew serious and answered Fraxure with a roar.

Neither listened to its trainer. They charged straight into close combat, trading solid blows.

Fan covered his forehead. "I'm really sorry. My Fraxure has a mind of its own and hardly listens to me."

Hardly listens?

Liu Xin knew that feeling all too well.

"A kindred spirit!"

"I never thought I'd meet someone here who understands. I know exactly what it's like when your Pokémon won't listen."

"That Super Gabite right there is just the same."

While their Pokémon fought, the trainers warmed to each other over their shared predicament.

"I've got a bad feeling. I think that chubby boy might be my rival."

"Come on. You're jealous of boys now too?"

Ito Hei answered Sen Anxiang helplessly, then turned his attention to the two dragons fighting before them.

Their battle was fierce, sending gusts of wind rippling outward.

But as they traded blows, Fraxure took far more punishment.

Super Gabite had both Rough Skin and Violet Aurora. It had never feared close combat; in fact, it loved it.

Fraxure gradually sensed something was wrong. Its opponent seemed fine, while it was taking plenty of damage in return.

It retreated to Fan's side, roared, and began ordering its own trainer around.

Liu Xin sighed. "So we're just here to follow orders, huh?"

"Brother, I know how you feel. Mine's coming back to do the same."

Super Gabite had no intention of standing idle. It retreated as well and began ordering Liu Xin around.